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Stoke wanted Lukaku; Martinez hoping Miyaichi returns next season

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has revealed the Potters were one of many clubs interested in signing Romelu Lukaku on loan before the Chelsea striker joined West Bromwich Albion, Sky Sports understands.

Lukaku, 19, has netted 13 league goals for Albion this season, and is expected to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

According to Pulis, the connections of West Brom boss Steve Clarke helped him bring the 19-year-old striker to The Hawthorns.

“I spoke to Chelsea first-team coach Steve Holland,” said Pulis ahead of the Potters’ clash with the Baggies on Saturday. “He was very complimentary about Romelu and we wanted him.

“Unfortunately, there were plenty of other people who knew about him, too. I think West Ham and Fulham were in there.

“But Steve got him on loan because of his connection with Chelsea.

“Romelu’s a good signing and has got better as the season’s gone on.”

The Belgium international’s Chelsea counterpart Fernando Torres has been linked with a summer exit from West London, with Russian Premier League moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala and former club Atletico Madrid reportedly interested in the Spaniard.

Meanwhile, January arrival Demba Ba has cooled off considerably since opening his Chelsea account with a flurry of goals, but his lack of production of late is surely due to the fact that Rafa Benitez has opted to go with the out-of-sorts Torres to lead the line for the Blues.

Ba and Torres have combined for nine Premier League goals in 35 appearances, 28 starts, for the Blues this season.